Education

ArizonaNativeNet

ArizonaNativeNet Rolls Out Distance Learning Program for Tribes (February 6, 2007)

Read the April 19, 2006 Press Release

ArizonaNativeNet seeks to establish a virtual university outreach and distance learning telecommunications center devoted to the higher educational nation building needs of Native Nations in Arizona, the United States and the world through the utlization of the worldwide web and the knowledge-based and technical resources and expertise of the University of Arizona. ArizonaNativeNet will be a vital resource for collaborating with Native Nations seeking to strengthen their nation building efforts through telecommunications-based higher education, leadership and management training, and distance learning partnerships with the U of A. ArizonaNativeNet will be a state-of-the-art higher educational telecommunications network of on-reservation distance learning centers owned and operated by Arizona Indian tribes (Phase I) and Native Nations throughout Arizona, the United States and the world (Phase II), served by the University of Arizona through a state-of-the-art broadcasting center located in the Rountree Building at the Rogers College of Law, which will serve as the home of ArizonaNativeNet. In addition, ArizonaNativeNet will foster and develop higher educational partnerships between the University of Arizona and Native Nations in Arizona, the United States and throughout the world by offering specially designed web-based courses, workshops, training seminars, clinical programs, consultation and technical assistance services and other web-based outreach and distance learning programs via interactive Internet broadband linkages.

BRIDGING THE GAP

The Bridging the Gap summer learning experience program addresses the needs of Native American juniors and seniors in high school, and its intent is to create a positive learning experience on the University of Arizona campus, encourage their persistence at, and graduation from high school, and “bridge” them into a successful freshman year in college. Jaime Eyrich, former Native Education Outreach Coordinator for NPTAO developed the program. Bridging the Gap includes classes in College Preparatory Algebra, Creative Writing, and Life Skills Management; and activities such as library use and research, tours of the Native American Student Affairs office and the Arizona State Museum; and recreational activities such as dinner off campus, movies, and swimming. The students live in dormitories on campus, and experience life as freshmen, including budgeted meals at the Student Union, attending classes daily, and completing assignments in a timely manner. Instructors for the program were chosen in collaboration with Dr. Thomas Miller of the English Composition Program at the UA, and through Ha:san Preparatory and Leadership School in Tucson. Primary financial support was provided by the University of Arizona, University of Minnesota, and University of Virginia, and by the Women's Commission of Arizona, who provided scholarship grants totaling $1,000.00.

INTERNSHIPS

If you are intersted in conducting an internship with our office, please contact our Program Coordinator, Anne Worthen, at 520.626.9814 or anne.worthen@law.arizona.edu